Working Center Reference-Code Cleaning for Accurate Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing numerically controlled working centers face difficulties in accurately detecting the position of supporting bars and movable elements due to the accumulation of waste materials like dust and chips on reference elements, which affects the cleaning status and subsequent machining precision.
Innovation Solution
A detecting system with reference elements and sensors, along with a cleaning device, is implemented to maintain the optimal cleaning status of these elements by using barcode-like codes and sensors to assess the cleaning status and automatically clean them when necessary, ensuring accurate positioning and machining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If reference elements are used for position detection, then positioning accuracy is improved, but waste materials deposit on reference elements making detection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reference elements (codes) from the base and supporting bars, making them removable and replaceable components. This allows the contaminated codes to be taken out and replaced with clean ones, resolving the contradiction by separating the detection function from the contaminated surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a system where contaminated reference elements (codes) are discarded and replaced with new clean codes. The control unit tracks the usage and cleaning status of codes, automatically replacing them when contamination affects detection accuracy, thus recovering the measurement precision by discarding contaminated elements.
2Device complexity
If manual positioning of bars and suction cups is used, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the control unit automatically monitors the cleaning status of reference elements and triggers replacement when contamination is detected. This automatic monitoring and replacement mechanism maintains high measurement precision without requiring complex manual intervention systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the control unit receives information about the cleaning status of codes from sensors or detection systems, and automatically initiates replacement procedures when accuracy is compromised. This feedback loop maintains positioning accuracy without adding significant complexity to the manual positioning operation.
3Reliability
If cleaning devices are added to maintain code cleanliness, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable or easily replaceable reference elements (codes) that are inexpensive to manufacture. Rather than implementing complex cleaning devices, the system uses affordable, replaceable codes that can be quickly swapped out when contaminated, maintaining high detection reliability with minimal added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state parameter of the reference elements from permanent to temporary/replaceable. By making codes replaceable rather than attempting to clean them in place, the system achieves high detection reliability through simple replacement operations rather than complex cleaning mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a working center (C) for working pieces comprising: a base (1) and a working plane (2) coupled to said base (1) and comprising: a plurality of supporting bars (21a,b,...,k,...n), manually movable along said base (1), a plurality of movable elements (24a,b,...,k,...n) for fixing said workpieces, manually movable along respective supporting bars (21a,b,...,k,...n), at least one first reference element (41) for the position of said plurality of supporting bars (21a,b,...,k,...n) along said base (1) and at least one second reference element (42a,b,...,k,...n) for the position of said plurality of movable elements (24a,b,...,k,...n) along said respective supporting bars (21a,b,...,k,...n). Said working center comprises a logic control unit (U) for the operation of said working center (C), in which configurations of the working plane (2) are stored for working said pieces and threshold values, as well as a detecting system (4) for detecting images of portions of said first reference element (41) and of the second reference element (42a,b,...,k,...n) and for sending said images to the logic control unit (U). Said logic control unit (U) is configured to perform a comparison between said received images and said stored threshold values, in order to determine an index of the cleaning status (IP) of the first reference element (41) and the second reference element (42a,b,...,k,...n) and send signals corresponding to said determined index of the cleaning status (IP). The present invention relates also to an operation method of said working center.